Ad
Next Stay Stunned by thousands of storks flying over the sky in Gia Viễn dike, Ninh Bình – Nếm TV 40 42 00:00 00:00 / 00:00 10 Sec Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Peter Okolie
Three vigilance operatives and a yet- to- be identified passerby were shot dead by some gunmen near Afor Umuaka Market and Hilltop Primary School in Njaba Local Government Area (LGA) of Imo State on Sunday.
The gunmen opened fire on a patrol vehicle, killing three vigilance operatives and a passerby in the incident that occurred at about 7:20p.m.
A community leader in the area who pleaded anonymity, described the attack as a “devastating ambush”.
According to the community leader, the people of the community and neighbouring communities had been under siege by gunmen and kidnap suspects terrorising the area in recent times.
It further claimed that hoodlums recently set up criminal camps in the neighbouring Ezioha Communiry in Mbaitoli LGA from where they lunch attacks on residents of the area.
“The destruction of terror camps in Orsu LGA and other parts of the state forced them to move to Ezioha Community.
“Their unchallenged activities led to the abduction of no fewer than 10 persons within the last six weeks.
- ‘How gunmen killed 2 policemen, 1 other in Imo’
- EFCC grabs 78 for internet fraud in Enugu, Imo
- Troops foil kidnap attempt, shoot two criminals dead in Imo
“No ransom demanded, no dead body found, yet all of them have been missing since then.
“What happened yesterday night was a continuation of their onslaught,” the source further said.
Confirming the tragic incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, ASP Henry Okoye, said three vigilance personnel and a female passerby, hit by stray bullet, died during the attack.
Okoye said that the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Aboki Danjuma, had deployed a Tactical Squad to hunt down the hoodlums responsible for the dastardly act.
“CP Aboki Danjuma expresses sadness over the unfortunate incident and vows to leave no stone unturned to ensure that the perpetrators were all arrested and brought to justice.
“He empathised with the families of the deceased victims and prayed for the repose of their souls,” the police spokesman said.
He called on the public, particularly the residents of Njaba, who may have any vital information on the hoodlums, to assist the command in its investigation.
Okoye urged the residents to volunteer information at any Police Station or via the command’s emergency lines 08034773600 or 08098880197.
(NAN)